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ATHLETE PICKS: WHERE TO SKI WHEN HEADING NORTH

Planning on heading north to chase the snow this winter? We chat to our team skiers and snowboarders about their favourite spots to migrate to for the northern hemisphere ski season.

We asked Anna Segal, Fraser McDougall, Janina Kuzma and Roland Morley-Brown about their go-to northern hemisphere ski spots. From Canada and the USA to Japan and Austria, check out their tips and photos that will have you planning your next migration north real soon.

WHISTLER, CANADA | ANNA SEGAL

Photos: Guy Fattal

Favourite Places to Ski in the Northern Hemisphere Season

In and around Whistler, British Columbia. Including the mountains surrounding Squamish, Pemberton and Duffey Lake Rd.

What Kind of Riding to Expect

A combination of tree skiing, hidden pillow stacks, spines and open alpine faces.

Favourite Resort

Whistler Blackcomb - it has terrain for everyone, including some of the best terrain parks in the world and great access to backcountry skiing.

Favourite Place for Food

Oyama Ramen in Whistler, Mile One Burger in Pemberton and the Black Bird Bakery in Pemberton.

Favourite Après Spots

Handlebar at the bottom of Blackcomb Mountain.

What Makes It Unique

The beauty of the coastal mountains in BC is unsurpassable. The lush rainforests, views of the coastline meeting with mountains, jagged peaks and seemingly endless glaciers. Even when the snow's no good, I'll make an effort to get up in the mountains on a sunny day, just to check out the views.

HAKUBA, JAPAN AND SALT LAKE CITY, USA | FRASER MCDOUGALL

Photos: Luke Kneller

Favourite Places to Ski in the Northern Hemisphere Season

Japan or Salt Lake City, USA. In Salt Lake City when the conditions line up it’s the best powder in the world.

What Kind of Riding to Expect

Expect perfect powder that seems to never stop, when it all lines up. Knowing it is the best snow in the world helps you feel like the happiest person on earth - who wouldn’t want that?

Favourite Resort

Hakuba-Happo One or Salt Lake City - Snowbird. Both wicked places to hang out.

Favourite Place for Food

Pretty simple eating. In the USA, when I fly in I have a routine. I listen to one song, SOJA - Here I Am and drive to Cafe Rio and smash a massive burrito. And in Japan, you've got to hit up a sushi train - unlimited sushi.

Favourite Après Spots

In Salt Lake City - the Goldminer’s Daughter. When it dumps with snow the road out of the canyon can close from time to time, so the best thing to do is grab some beers and order a pizza. Hakuba - grab some sushi and a cheap beer at the Lawsons.

What Makes It Unique

The best snow in the world and people that enjoy hanging out with like-minded, keen skiers and snowboarders. Bring a smile and your gear and you’ll meet some great people.

FRENIE, BRITISH COLUMBIA | JANINA KUZMA

Photos: Colleen Gentemann

Favourite Places to Ski in the Northern Hemisphere Season

Stellar Heli and Fernie Alpine Resort

What Kind of Riding to Expect

- Intermediate to Advanced -

With Stellar Heli I've experienced some of the deepest powder days in Kaslo, BC. Fernie is my home resort during the northern hemisphere season. I head there because it offers some of the best freeriding and tree skiing for a resort in Canada with over 2,504 acres.

Favourite Resort

Fernie Alpine Resort

Favourite Place for Food

The Brick House for a burger, the Loaf for breakfast and the Indian Kitchen Tandoor & Grill Restaurant for a good Indian curry.

Favourite Après Spots

The Griz Bar or Rusty Edge on the hill and Nevados in Town, for amazing margaritas. The Griz Bar definitely has a lot of character to it for a small bar and it feels like you're almost stepping back in time. They also have live music every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

ZILLERTAL VALLEY, AUSTRIA | ROLAND MORLEY-BROWN

Photos: Cyril Mueller

Favourite Places to Ski in the Northern Hemisphere Season

Oh, that's definitely gotta be the Zillertal Valley, located in the Tyrol region of west Austria. The valley has around 180 something lifts and gondolas accessing all kinds of awesome terrain.

What Kind of Riding to Expect

There is something for everyone. When it's really on, you can start the morning off with a nice mellow hike off-piste to easily access some insane backcountry lines. Once you've shredded them to pieces, you can make your way to one of the best terrain parks in Europe with features for every level of rider, or spend the afternoon lapping around the resort and having a ton of fun hitting natural side hits, banked slalom courses and spraying the jerrys.

Favourite Resort

Mayrhofen. It's the heart of the Zillertal.

Favourite Place for Food

Well before I was vege, I used to love hitting the Gasser, right at the bottom of the main Penken Bahn, its kinda like this butcher that makes all kinds of crazy yummy meaty snacks. Perfect for when you're just coming off the hill. But these days it's gotta be Edelweiss Restaurant in Mayrhofen. Good food, nice vibe, great staff. It's a win every time.

Favourite Après Spots

Scotland Yard Pub. Scotties is the spot for sure.

ENTER TO WIN

We know and love the feeling of packing up and leaving the heat of the summer to be transported into the crisp air and deep snow of a mountain town. So we teamed up with Mountainwatch to make it happen for one of you.

Enter to win five days of shredding famed Japan pow, kit from us and a day riding with one of our athletes. You can bring a friend along too. Japow dreams can come true. Enter here.

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